He was born March 10, 1933, in Northampton, Mass., a son of the late Professor and Mrs. Clarence Parsons of Amherst, Mass.

He graduated from Amherst College in 1955 and from Harvard Graduate School in 1957 with a Master of Arts in Teaching.

In 1956, he married the love of his life, Theresa Anne Everson, also of Amherst, daughter of Professor and Mrs. John Everson.

He traveled extensively in Europe with both the Amherst College and the Harvard glee clubs.

He began his music teaching career in Connecticut and continued in Sanford, Kennebunk, and Gray/New Gloucester, Maine. After retiring, he joined Century 21 and sold real estate for a short time.

He was a well known musician in the area, having played the piano in many area churches and restaurants. He was the former organist and choir director in the New Haven, Conn. area, as well as at North Parish Church in Sanford, St. John's Episcopal Church in Sanbornville, N.H., and the Village Baptist Church in Kennebunk. He was a former president of the American Guild of Organists New Haven Chapter.

He leaves his wife of 53 years, Theresa, and four children, David Parsons, and his partner, Terry Turner, of Sanford; James Parsons, of Mount Clemens, Mich.; Richard, and his wife, Christine, of Derwood, Md., and Sharon Parsons Flanagan, and her husband, Paul Flanagan, of Syracuse, N.Y.; 11 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

SERVICES: Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 3 at Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St., Kennebunk. A memorial service will be held at noon Monday, May 4 at the North Amherst Congregational Church in North Amherst, Mass. Interment will follow in North Amherst Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer's Association, Maine Chapter, 170 U.S. Route 1, Suite 250, Falmouth, ME 04105. Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel. Visit www.bibberfuneral.com.

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